 |
 |
|
|
 |
Trade in the transport and logistics sector: opportunities abound
The Southern African Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (SANEC) was established in 1992. It aims to foster business relations between Southern Africa and The Netherlands and thus to achieve closer economic ties and a better mutual understanding to the benefit of both regions. With this in mind and in cooperation with the NL EVD International, a division of Agency NL from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Southern African Netherlands Transport Forum (SANTF), SANEC recently organized the SADC Corridor Mission in the Netherlands.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Matchmaking
Roughly 70 people from the transport and logistics sector from both regions met in various cities in the Netherlands over the course of four days. They gave presentations on their organisations, conducted one-on-one matchmaking sessions and had ample opportunity to get to know one another in both formal and informal settings. Also included were visits to the harbour and other Dutch transport projects.
Plain and simple
South African born Mogashni Naidoo has been living in the Netherlands for a while. She assisted Mark Reyneker and Douwe Mateman, the key organizers of the mission, before and during the mission. Naidoo explains: "The goal of this trade mission is plain and simple: to improve business relations between Southern Africa and the Netherlands. Especially in transport, and transport over water in particular, this is a logical partnership. Both regions have extensive experience and knowledge in the field and house a large number of active parties who could also prove to be beneficial to other regions."
We spoke to some of the participants to get an impression of both the business climate in the Netherlands and Southern Africa and the importance of this kind of trade mission.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Arthur van Baalen
International business development and marketmanager DHV Watertreatment
"We're already very active across the African continent and we're constantly growing. Africa is a very important market, it hasn't been affected by the economic crisis so there is still growth in the region. Business culture in Southern Africa is completely different. It's a lot more formal and everything has to be managed across several layers. There are usually several governmental bodies involved before you can make a final decision. This can cause acquisitions to be cancelled at the very last minute. In other aspects it's less formal. If you are asked to join for dinner, don't even thinking about discussing business at the dinner table. That's why meetings like this are so useful. You really need to know each other before you can work together. Cold acquisition is an option but it can be so time consuming it's virtually useless. An important lesson for any foreigners who wants to do business in Southern Africa: don't patronize. Be very clear about what you have to offer and where your knowledge lies, but don't forget that Southern Africa has a lot to offer as well. Think, for example, about all the South-Africans involved in Amsterdam's water supply system."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Brenda Horne Ferreira
Director General of the Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative
Horne Ferreira: "The MCLI is a non-profit umbrella organization that aims to develop the border between South Africa and Mozambique. If access to Maputo harbour can be improved, the hinterland on both sides of the border can be expanded.
Our members are very diverse. There are risk bearing partners, like builders and developers. But also freight carriers, importers and governments who have aligned with us. Very important for good border access.
I always look forward to learn more about processes and project management. At the SADC trade mission I have been speaking to people from various backgrounds, which I expect will be of great use when I return. For us networking is working."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Hein Wiese and Rebecca Letsoenyo
Deputy Municipal Manager: Economic Development Planning and Member of Mayoral Committee a the Municipality Emfuleni (South-Africa)
"The largest metal factory on the African continent is part of our municipality, yet we're still dealing with a fifty percent unemployment rate. This is why we're researching how to further develop the city. One of the key issues is transport. We have a river, but no harbour. We want to learn what steps we need to take to build one. We hardly use our rivers. That's why it's good to be in Rotterdam. Something like the water-taxi's here for example, none of us would have thought of that. The Netherlands really understands transport. There are special bicycle lanes and safety is high. We can learn a lot from that. That makes this mission so valuable, it gives us a very clear idea of the possibilities. We're also learning a lot from our fellow Southern Africans at the trade mission. What's most important to me is that as government we really need to create our own transport themes. In South Africa most roads are built by the public sector.
But you can get a much firmer grasp on the social aspects of transport and logistics
if you do it yourself."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Albert Bos en Herschel Maasdorp
Director Netherlands and
Director South-Africa for the STC-group
"Obviously we're already very active in both South Africa and the Netherlands, but a mission like this can still be useful to us. It gives us an opportunity to present ourselves to both sides. We focus on knowledge.
We also look at the situation in Africa for this. The children of today's garbage collectors are the harbour masters of the future. That's who we're building schools for. That awareness is necessary, it really adds something. Most parties here are interesting. But if you had to visit them one by one it would take forever. Here we can meet them all at once. The ambassador is here too, for example, a very useful connection. And because so many relevant parties are here, it's useful for him to be here as well."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What are your views on these kind of trade missions?
Have you attended any and if so which and how useful did you find them? Do you require face to face meetings to lay the foundations for a warm acquisition or can you make these connections online just as easily? We'd love to hear your experiences, please share your thoughts here.
Also in Club Africa
Flying Blue Club Africa on facebook
Join us at the Flying Blue Club Africa page on facebook.
It's the place for sharing information about how to make your business in Africa more efficient. You can start discussions, share experiences and/or learn from others.
Join us on facebook >
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
